I can honestly say, from experience, that being in the moment of a severe reaction is very stressful. My five year old son has multiple severe food allergies. He’s had two severe reactions to milk that required epinephrine to control. His symptoms started with hives, drooling, and repetitive coughing and quickly progressed into swelling and difficulty breathing.
During both of my son’s severe reactions l too had reactions of my own. My first reaction was fear; the holding your breath and just staring in shock type of fear. I also instantly started to categorize his symptoms, looking for cues that told me that this was a severe reaction. I almost felt detached as I mentally thought of the ‘signs of a severe reaction’ and can only assume that police and doctors have similar feelings in a moment of crisis. As I watched my son, it was blatantly obvious that he needed help. This is the important part…my brain still went through denial.
My son was showing signs of anaphylaxis (the signs I had read about and understood) but when it came down to administering epinephrine my brain still thought “Yeah, but does he really need it? Is this what they mean by difficulty breathing? Maybe he’ll be okay.”
I tell you this, not to beat myself up about it, but to prepare you and others for similar feelings. Remember this: You will more than likely have feelings of doubt during a severe reaction.
Luckily for my son, I snapped out of it and administered an EpiPen® which more than likely saved his life. But what I hear about constantly in the food allergy community are stories of severe reaction and fear/doubt of administering epinephrine. I frequently hear “I should have used epinephrine” when parents talk about their children’s reactions. This is what I want to change!
Why do we fear the one medicine that can reverse anaphylaxis?
Because it’s a needle?
Tough!!! It’ll save their life!!!!!! Get over it!
Because it’ll hurt?
Not as much as making funeral arrangements.
Because antihistamine is easier to administer?
It sure is, but it cannot reverse anaphylaxis!!
Whatever your reasoning is for not using epinephrine during signs of anaphylaxis none, I repeat none are worth the life of the child.
So what I want you to do is this:
1. Always, always carry TWO epinephrine devices
2. Educate yourself and all care providers on how to recognize signs of anaphylaxis.
3. Ignore the voices of denial.
4. Administer epinephrine.
5. Call 9-1-1.
– Elizabeth DiBurro
Easy Breezy Life
EBL Food Allergies
Indications
EpiPen®
(epinephrine) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr®
(epinephrine) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors are for the emergency
treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown
triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are intended
for immediate self administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency
medical treatment after use.
Important Safety Information
EpiPen Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you inject into your outer thigh. DO
NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEIN, BUTTOCK, FINGERS, TOES, HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental
injection, please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have
heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as asthma, depression, thyroid disease,
Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, have any other medical conditions,
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell
your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. If you have certain medical
conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer
lasting side effects when you take the EpiPen or EpiPen Jr Auto Injector.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat,
sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness,
headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects usually go away quickly, especially
if you rest.
Talk to your healthcare professional to see if EpiPen or EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector is right for you.
EpiPen®
(epinephrine) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr®
(epinephrine) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors are for the emergency
treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown
triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are intended
for immediate self administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency
medical treatment after use.
Important Safety Information
EpiPen Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you inject into your outer thigh. DO
NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEIN, BUTTOCK, FINGERS, TOES, HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental
injection, please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have
heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as asthma, depression, thyroid disease,
Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, have any other medical conditions,
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell
your doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. If you have certain medical
conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer
lasting side effects when you take the EpiPen or EpiPen Jr Auto Injector.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate, stronger or irregular heartbeat,
sweating, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness,
headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects usually go away quickly, especially
if you rest.
Talk to your healthcare professional to see if EpiPen or EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector is right for you.
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